The Theology of the Westminster Standards by J. V. Fesko

Author:J. V. Fesko
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crossway

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Sanctification

Given the importance of the doctrine of justification, one of the chief flash points of the sixteenth-century Reformation, rigorous debates over the precise manner in which the doctrine should be expressed marked the assembly’s activities. But the divines were also interested in other elements of soteriology. Since the divines believed that justification is one part of the unbreakable golden chain of salvation, they were equally interested in other doctrines of soteriology, such as sanctification. The divines feared the corruption of the doctrine of justification, but with the threat of Antinomianism they were similarly concerned about the integrity of the doctrine of sanctification. Hence, before we can survey what the Standards have to say about sanctification, it is important to situate this doctrine historically in the milieu of the antinomian controversies that raged prior to and during the assembly. We must also locate the doctrine in the broader context of the golden chain of salvation. These contextual issues will make up the larger portion of this chapter, as they are vital to understanding the Confession’s doctrine of sanctification.

Historical Context

Historians have noted that the Westminster Assembly met in the midst of a civil war and that cannon fire could often be heard in the background over the assembly’s sometimes-heated deliberations. However, there was another war being waged during the assembly’s confession-writing labors, a war against antinomianism. In fact, during the assembly on a number of different occasions the names and works of reputed antinomian theologians were brought to the assembly’s attention.1 One petition addressed to the assembly complained of a number of individuals who, by preaching, printing, publishing, “& by other waies,” were disseminating antinomian doctrine “in and about the citty of London” and perverting the “Doctrines of free grace, justification by faith in Christ & of sanctification.” The petitioners were concerned that antinomians would “soone draw millions of soules to cast off the whole morall law of God.”2 The petition specifically mentioned four books:

John Eaton, The Honey-Combe of Free Justification by Christ Alone

Tobias Crisp, Christ Alone Exalted

John Eaton, The Discovery of the Most Dangerous Dead Faith

Anonymous, A Sermon upon Rev. 3:183

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